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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-05 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 5, 2003 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall November 5, 2003 f ~ i_ ! R Present: William Hecht, William Finch, Doug Greene, Rebecca Longley, Kelley Meier, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business 23 Buckskin Drive, DA Mr. and Mrs. Swanson were present. The Commission discussed the site visit on November 2. Work was complete and the site was stable. A motion was made and seconded to close the file. Voted 4-0 in favor. Walkers Brook Crossing, DEP 270-352, RGB 2001-14 Ed Shaw of Dickinson Development and Brad Latham, attorney, were present to discuss several proposed revisions to the approved site plans.. Mr. Shaw reported that DEP had recently approved a modification to use a conventional foundation, rather than pilings, for the foundation of the Chili's building. The cap membrane will extend completely under the building. They hope to pave some of the parking lots in the near future. They want to change the configuration of the retaining wall at the pinch point by the stream on the northern side of the site. Mr. Shaw submitted a preliminary sketch, and will provide a final revised plan when additional details are worked out. They want to change the face of the retaining wall on the south side of the property from vegetation to stone. They want to continue the retaining wall around the eastern side of the Jordan's parking lot. The wall would be 20-25 feet high. This would eliminate the 2:1 vegetated slope and provide a 3:1 slope over the cap instead. It would also provide more land for wetlands restoration at the base of the wall because the cap would end at the top of the wall. DEP will also have to review this plan. They are still exploring the technical and financial details. They would use the Town water/sewer easement for access to the detention system outlet at the base of the wall. A motion was made and seconded to delegate approval authority to the Conservation Administrator for the final designs of each proposed change, unless the Administrator deems it necessary for the Commission to review and vote on any of the changes. Voted 5-0 in favor. Adams Way, DEP 270-333, RGB 2000-8 The Commission had not received a response from Ed Oteri, developer, to recent letters. It is too late in the season for regrading and seeding. The Commission discussed site conditions as observed during recent inspections and asked the Administrator to send Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 5, 2003 7:20 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Entire Route 128 Right-of-Way in Reading Bob Boone of MHD presented plans for resurfacing, upgrading guardrails, and repairing shoulders where erosion has developed. He submitted a map by MassGIS showing some of the wetlands in the area. Other wetlands may have started as paved ditches, but maintenance has not been good. No work is proposed in these waterways. Erosion barriers will be set when working near wetlands. There will be no excavation beyond the guardrails. Catch basins and manholes within the roadway will be repaired and adjusted to final grade, but there will be no work on drainage structures beyond the. guardrails. They can not put filters under the catch basin grates during work because they remove the grates and frames prior to work. They seal the basins with metal plates. Catch basins will be cleaned prior to work and afterwards. The existing basins have 2-foot sumps. Work takes place at night and the work area is swept prior to the morning rush hour. All equipment is moved off the roadway during the day. After paving, they paint lines, replace counting loops and reflector dots. Work will probably commence in the spring. Ms. Fink noted that there appear to be wetlands beyond those identified on the MHD plans. She submitted maps. The Commission or Administrator should mark all wetlands in the field prior to work. The Commission reviewed and amended draft Findings and Conditions. A motion was made and seconded to issue a negative Determination subject to the Findings and Conditions as amended. Voted 5-0 in favor. 7:30 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Entire Route 128 Right-of-Way in Reading Bob Boone also presented the proposal for herbicide applications on Route 128. Application will only be on the main roadway, not on the ramps at the I-93 intersection. The Commission reviewed and amended draft Findings and Conditions. A motion was made and seconded to issue a negative Determination subject to the Findings and Conditions as amended. Voted 5-0 in favor Commissioner left the meeting. (Kelley?) 7:40 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Barrows Elementary School, 16 Edgemont Avenue, RGB 2003-49 Procedures read, attendance sheet circulated, Commission introduced. Josh Alston of Judith Nitsch Engineering submitted the certified mail cards for the abutter to the street drains in Edgemont Avenue. He described the other existing drainage Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 5, 2003 subcatchment areas, which have three outfalls (Edgemont; Garrett, and Shelby). He presented the plan for two additions, reconfiguration of the parking lot, removal of several trailers, conversion of a basketball court to a parking lot, upgrading the drainage system, and other work at Barrow School. The overall design will result in a slight decrease in impervious cover. Vortex units will be added to remove TSS from all pavement runoff. Underground detention chambers are proposed to control peak rates of runoff. Soils tests near the building have not located any soils suitable for groundwater recharge. The site was filled and graded when the school was built. Ms. Fink submitted comments. Ms. Longley noted that the wetland delineation was not correct on some plan sheets and Mr. Greene noted that flag #16 was missing in the field. He asked that field data sheets be submitted for the wetland side of the line. (The upland side was included in the NOI.) The Commission noted that the soils report included SCS data from Plymouth County, rather than Middlesex. They asked whether a sidewalk could be provided over the existing lawn area from the proposed parking lot to the front of the building. A number of abutters were present and commented: Bill Kennedy, 4 Garrett Road - Asked whether the proposed plan provides more parking spaces. (Mr. Alston answered 10-15 more spaces). Concerned about existing drainage problems in Garrett Road, flooding and icing. (Mr. Alston described more details of the proposed system and said that it would not result in any increase in runoff to Garrett Road. - Part of the problem on Garrett Road is due to the swale south and east of the school that conveys runoff from areas farther east, not from the school site. A ridge separates the school runoff from the swale runoff. Tom Parr, 22 Garrett Road - Reported similar concerns about flooding and icing. There are no catch basins in Garrett Road and the neighborhood has clay soils and perched water tables. The drainage that comes from the Munroe Avenue area is too much for the existing culvert behind his house to accept. The drain manholes surcharge routinely. The Munroe/Lisa Lane area needs detention to prevent flooding on Garrett. (Mr. Alston suggested that he discuss the larger picture with the Town Engineer. He may be able to adjust the volume of water sent towards Garrett Road if the other two outfalls have adequate capacity. He will look for other ways to increase infiltration and detention on site.) Janice Landry, 4 Garrett Road - Asked whether the sledding hill will remain and whether the manhole can be set at grade. (Mr. Alston said yes.) The Commission requested a site visit on January 16 and that soils tests be conducted. Mr. Alston will meet with the Town Engineer and Conservation Administrator. A motion was made and seconded to continue the hearing to December 3 at 7:30 PM with Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 5, 2003 8:00 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 40-42 and 70 West Street, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46 At the request of the applicant, the public hearing was postponed to December 10 at 7:30 PM. Old/New Business Pondview Lane Subdivision, DEP 270-345, RGB 2000-52, Lot 5 John Henson, owner of Lot 5, was present. The Commission reviewed an as-built site plan and site inspection reports. They noted that part of the retaining wall for the driveway had been set about 8 inches into the Conservation Restriction area. A metal rod needs to be set at the turning point along the CR boundary with the driveway. The hay bales need to be replaced and the silt fence needs to be reset. Mr. Henson requested the addition of a concrete pad just beyond the eastern end of the retaining wall for HVAC equipment. No filling would be needed. He also requested removal of a tree located in the CR area very close to the back of the house. Mr. Finch made a motion and Mr. Hecht seconded to accept the present location of the retaining wall, to permit the removal of the tree, and to permit the addition of the concrete pad, with certain conditions. Voted 4-0 in favor. 24 Harold Avenue, 44 Roma Lane, St. Athanasius Church (306 Haverhill), 322 and 334 Ash Street, Barrows School trailer, 44 Pitman Road, 21 Buckingham Drive The Commission reviewed site inspection reports for these sites. Work has been completed under Minor Project Permits, Determinations, or violation notices, and the sites are stable. Mr. Finch moved to close the files on these projects and Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project The Commission reviewed the proposal for stream/ditch clearing and had no objections to the plan. A letter will be sent. Sunset Rock Lane, new elementary school, DEP 270-341, RGB 2000-38 The Commission reviewed a request for revision of the design for the fire lane. Additional information is needed. Walkers Brook Drive reconstruction, DEP 270-363, RGB 2001-29 The Commission reviewed the proposed structural design for culvert and headwalls at stream crossing. The Administrator will contact the Building Inspector to verify that he has approved the design and will meet with the contractors to review the construction sequence. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 5, 2003 The Commission reviewed the status of work. The unit owners will be invited to the November 19 meeting to discuss the long-term maintenance of the drainage system and other operational matters. The catch basin and stormceptor sumps must be cleaned at this time. A letter will be sent to the developer. 123 Lilah Lane Ms. Fink reported that the retaining wall had been constructed, the yard had been brought to graded and sodded, and the trees had been trimmed or removed as approved. The area under the deck needs permanent stabilization. The owner will be contacted. 51/67 Sanborn Lane The Commission received notice from DEP of a site visit on November 12 for the appeal of the Order of Conditions. The Order was not appealed under the Town Bylaws. 13 Smith Street The Commission approved a minor project permit to trim branches from a pine tree. 735 Haverhill Street The Commission is invited to a public hearing with the Board of Health concerning the resolution of flooding problems due to beaver activity in the area. 489 Lowell Street The Commission reviewed site visit reports and site plans. The work was completed under two Orders of Conditions issued for the construction of the house and the driveway, and the site is stable. A motion was made and seconded to issued Certificates of Compliance for both Orders. Voted 4-0 in favor. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Voted 4-0 in favor.